Jeremiah 51:62
Then shalt thou say, O LORD, thou hast spoken against this place, to cut it off, that none shall remain in it, neither man nor beast, but that it shall be desolate for ever.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָה֙
O LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
דִבַּ֜רְתָּ
thou hast spoken
H1696
דִבַּ֜רְתָּ
thou hast spoken
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
4 of 19
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
הַמָּק֤וֹם
against this place
H4725
הַמָּק֤וֹם
against this place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
6 of 19
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
הַזֶּה֙
H2088
לְהַכְרִית֔וֹ
to cut it off
H3772
לְהַכְרִית֔וֹ
to cut it off
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
8 of 19
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
לְבִלְתִּ֤י
H1115
לְבִלְתִּ֤י
Strong's:
H1115
Word #:
9 of 19
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
הֱיֽוֹת
H1961
הֱיֽוֹת
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
10 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
יוֹשֵׁ֔ב
that none shall remain
H3427
יוֹשֵׁ֔ב
that none shall remain
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
לְמֵאָדָ֖ם
in it neither man
H120
לְמֵאָדָ֖ם
in it neither man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
13 of 19
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
14 of 19
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
בְּהֵמָ֑ה
nor beast
H929
בְּהֵמָ֑ה
nor beast
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
16 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שִׁמְמ֥וֹת
but that it shall be desolate
H8077
שִׁמְמ֥וֹת
but that it shall be desolate
Strong's:
H8077
Word #:
17 of 19
devastation; figuratively, astonishment
Cross References
Jeremiah 50:13Because of the wrath of the LORD it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate: every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues.Jeremiah 50:3For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast.Ezekiel 35:9I will make thee perpetual desolations, and thy cities shall not return: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
Historical Context
Babylon's long decline fulfilled this 'perpetual desolation,' though not instant annihilation. The hyperbolic 'forever' language emphasizes thoroughness. By medieval period, Babylon was indeed uninhabited ruins—'neither man nor beast.' Today, though some reconstruction for tourism, it remains largely desolate, confirming prophecy.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is Seraiah instructed to declare judgment as prayer rather than mere proclamation?
- What does treating God's future promises as present realities teach about biblical faith?
- How should the 'neither man nor beast' formula inform our understanding of comprehensive divine judgment?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Then shalt thou say, O LORD, thou hast spoken against this place, to cut it off (וְאָמַרְתָּ יְהוָה אַתָּה דִבַּרְתָּ אֶל־הַמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה לְהַכְרִיתוֹ, v'amarta YHWH attah dibbarta el-hamaqom hazzeh l'hakrito)—Seraiah must affirm God's sovereign decree. The verb karat (cut off) indicates thorough destruction, covenant-curse language. That none shall remain in it, neither man nor beast, but that it shall be desolate for ever (לְבִלְתִּי הֱיוֹת־בָּהּ יוֹשֵׁב לְמֵאָדָם וְעַד־בְּהֵמָה כִּי־שִׁמְמוֹת עוֹלָם תִּהְיֶה, l'vilti h'yot-bah yoshev me'adam v'ad-behemah ki-shimmot olam tihyeh)—Total depopulation: neither human nor animal. 'Desolations forever' (shimmot olam) echoes earlier oracles.
This prayer-form declaration makes Babylon's judgment a matter of liturgy, not mere politics. Seraiah's prayer acknowledges God's word as settled reality: 'You have spoken—therefore it is done.' Faith treats God's promises and threats as already accomplished facts, regardless of present evidence. This prayer anticipates fulfillment and worships God for His justice before visible vindication arrives.